The SeerahExpedition

The expedition to Tabuk

غزوة تبوك

The last expedition: a march north against the Byzantines in the hour of hardship, ending without battle.

QuranSee it in the Atlas
When
Rajab, 9 AH
Date
The sources agree on the date.
Where
Tabuk

The event

News came that the Byzantines were gathering in the north, and in Rajab of 9 AH the Prophet ﷺ set out to meet them, in great heat and with little money, water or mounts; so it was called the expedition of hardship. The Quran speaks of Allah turning in mercy to the Prophet ﷺ and those who followed him in the hour of hardship (9:117).

The Byzantines withdrew and no battle was fought. The campaign took about fifty days. It was the Prophet's ﷺ last expedition, and Surah at-Tawba tells of those who stayed behind, among them the three whose repentance was accepted.

Evidence

QuranAt-Tawba (The Repentance)Quran 9:117

لَّقَد تَّابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ وَٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ وَٱلْأَنصَارِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ فِى سَاعَةِ ٱلْعُسْرَةِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا كَادَ يَزِيغُ قُلُوبُ فَرِيقٍ مِّنْهُمْ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِهِمْ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ ١١٧

Allāh has already forgiven the Prophet and the Muhājireen and the Anṣār who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

117. Allâh has forgiven the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), the Muhâjirûn (Muslim emigrants who left their homes and came to Al-Madinah) and the Ansâr (Muslims of Al-Madinah) who followed him (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) in the time of distress (Tabûk expedition), after the hearts of a party of them had nearly deviated (from the Right Path), but He accepted their repentance. Certainly, He is unto them full of Kindness, Most Merciful.

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